University of Virginia Library

SAMUEL HENRY WILLETT

Is a progressive farmer and fruit grower of Bent
Mountain. Samuel Henry Willett was born in
Roanoke County, May 28th, 1872, being a son of
Francis Marion and
Mary Ann (Henry)
Willett. His father,
Francis Marion Willett,
was one of the best
known citizens of
Roanoke County. He
was a Justice of the
Peace for nine years.
When the war occurred
between the states, he
enlisted in the Thirty-Second
Virginia Regiment
and for four years
followed the cause of
Jackson and Lee. The
war over, he returned
to his Bent Mountain
home to build up and
regain what he had lost
by the ravages of war. He died in June, 1900.

The Willett family is one of the oldest in the
county, having settled here nearly one hundred and
fifty years ago, coming from Pennsylvania. There
is a tradition to the effect that David Willett, the
great grandfather of the subject of this sketch,
brought the first pippin apple trees to Back Creek
about a century and a half ago. He also introduced
what is known as the "Willett" apple in this section.
Trees planted by him are still standing and bearing
fruit.

Samuel Henry Willett received his education in
the Roanoke County public schools, and began life
as a farmer and fruit grower. He is the owner of a
fine Bottom Creek farm, where he engages to some
extent in stock raising and agricultural pursuits.
He has planted an orchard of nine hundred pippin
apple trees. They are in thrifty condition and will
be extremely valuable in a few years. Mr. Willett
is a firm believer in the future of Bent Mountain
apples, and every year he plants additional trees.
He was married December 26th, 1894 to Flora Baldwin,
daughter of Joseph and Eliza Baldwin, of Roanoke
County. Five children have been born to them,
as follows: Emma, aged fifteen; William, aged thirteen;
Mary, aged ten; Price, aged seven; Paul, aged
three.